REPORT TO COUNCIL. Director of Public Services. Report to Council: Special Circumstances of Commercial Water Billing

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1 REPORT TO COUNCIL Report No.: PS Subjects: Director of Public Services Report 1. Frozen Waterlines 2. Sewage Treatment Annual Reports 3. Manager of Public Works Report 4. Manager of Facilities & Parks Report 5. Manager of Airports Report Prepared By: Brian Aaltonen Director of Public Services Date Prepared: March 19, 2014 Attachments: Report to Council: Special Circumstances of Commercial Water Billing Report to Council: Amend Water & Sewer Maintenance Policy 1. Frozen Waterlines Frozen waterlines are a problem all over Ontario this winter, as reported by various media sources. A few have been provided below as reference. 1

2 Greenstone is no exception; Public Works crews in all Wards have been working to lessen the impacts of frozen or broken waterlines, leaving snow removal operations to a bare minimum. At this stage, it is clear that not all of the issues can be resolved. The added workload has increased employee overtime hours and required the ongoing assistance of local contractors, impacting the 2014 budget. Serious concerns exist on the possibility of flooding due to snow melt and frozen storm sewers. It is important for those presented with a frozen water issue this winter to understand what can be done to avoid frozen waterlines in the future, as municipal assistance is limited. The onus is on the property owner to make corrections to their waterline, either by insulating it, moving its physical location, or providing for a small, constant flow of water, for example, by installing a bleeder on the line, to resolve freezing problems. In many cases this winter, Public Works staff noted that bleeders had not been turned on, causing freezing into the municipal mainline. Costs to the tune of thousands of dollars are required to provide for the restoration of water service in such circumstances. In addition, road repairs will be required at excavation sites. At this time, it is necessary to limit excavations. Where temporary service to residences (via a by-pass line connected to a neighbour) can be arranged, Public Works staff will attend to the property, as dictated by priorities, with the small Magikist steamer used to attempt thawing of waterlines from inside the residence. This year, crews are experiencing limited success with this unit. If the thaw cannot be performed with the Magikist, the by-pass arrangement may need to stay in place until weather conditions may be conducive to a successful 2

3 thaw with the Magikist unit. If the provision of a by-pass arrangement is not possible, crews will continue to work to provide water service. It is noteworthy that boil water advisories have been issued to residences that have had by-pass arrangements coordinated through Public Works staff. Temporary waterlines (such as garden hoses) do not meet the sterilization standards of lines specifically designated for drinking water service, such as those used in the cast iron watermain relining project this past summer. Further to the Report to Council requesting authorization to purchase the quickattach unit to assist with emergency excavations, the Manager of Public Works has investigated the purchase of an electric thawing machine. The unit wouldn t be available for at least 1 month if purchased. All communities contacted are unable to lend their unit out as it is in high use in their own community, as reiterated in the media report on Atikokan below. Media Reports: Atikokan Mayor announces some waterlines won t be thawed till Spring Fort Frances frozen water statistics and fees for residential thaws Sudbury frozen water statistics Toronto frozen water statistics, tips on thawing lines 3

4 Toronto tips on preventing frozen water lines Kincardine electric current used to thaw waterlines 2. Sewage Treatment Annual Reports The 2013 Annual Reports for the Nakina and Geraldton sewage treatment facilities have been prepared by OCWA and submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, as required. The reports are included in the agenda package for the Regular Meeting of March 24, Manager of Public Works Report Attachments: Report to Council: Purchase Excavator Attachment Forward Planning Snow removal and thawing of storm sewer systems in all Wards. Storm sewer maintenance is usually performed over the course of a month, as fluctuating temperatures often cause thawed lines to freeze again. Continued efforts are required to keep abreast of proper drainage. A fast snow melt could cause flooding of basements and infiltration problems in the sewage system, as water flows exceed the capacity of municipal facilities. This year, the vac truck unit will assist with the storm sewer thawing operation. 4

5 Operational Comments Due to staff being assigned to thawing waterlines in the Geraldton Ward, the usual maintenance activities in preparation of the Spring snow melt have not been performed to the degree that is required during this winter of high snowfall. Snow removal during March is important to alleviate flooding, therefore the decision has been made that Public Works staff continue to address water infrastructure issues, and for a 5 day period a contractor be assigned to support assigned Public Works staff with snow removal operations. After the 5 day period, management will reassess contracted snow removal. Significant Events Longlac staff were involved in a major waterline repair at the junction of Queen Street and Forestry Road. A Boil Water Advisory was issued on March 3, 2014 and lifted on March 10, Carillion requested the assistance of Public Works to thaw a frozen culvert along Hwy 584. Water from a nearby spring was overflowing on the highway causing a flooding incident. Had it not been addressed, the Hwy would have had to have been closed. Frozen Waterline Status as of March 18, 2014: Nakina: 2 commercial buildings frozen Longlac: 4 commercial buildings frozen, one of which requires an excavation 1 frozen residential sewer line 1 frozen residential waterline in Caramat 5

6 Beardmore: Community Centre frozen decision made not to thaw due to cost. Portable washrooms and bottled water are provided for continued use of the facility. 1 commercial sewer line frozen again after having thaw performed twice. Geraldton: Water service to residences on Sakamoto Drive has been frozen since March 7. Multiple excavation sites have been prepared for access with the steamer. Progress is being made, but it is unknown at this time when a complete thaw will be achieved due to the extensive freezing along the mainline. 1 commercial sewer line frozen again 3 commercial waterlines frozen, one of which cannot be thawed 10 residential frozen waterlines, 8 of which are on a temporary by-pass 1 six-inch watermain on First St E. Temporary by-pass set up. (Site excavated, ongoing efforts to steam this line.) Staffing Staffing for the winter night shift (GER Ward) was ramped up with an extra staff member and a contract worker to conduct a one-time snow removal blitz over a 2 week period which ended on March 14. From this time forward, the night shift was eliminated to address staff shortages during the day shift. A backlog of waterline repairs is expected to run for the remainder of the Spring, given the current ground frost situation. 6

7 4. Manager of Facilities & Parks Report Maintenance Project Status Awaiting operating budget approval. Capital Expenditures All Capital Project requests have been submitted from all Wards. They all have been reviewed and prioritized by the Parks and Rec Sub-Committee at the February meeting and are ready for Council approval. Forward Planning Indoor air quality assessments were conducted by True Grit Consulting LTD in both the new Multi-Purpose building in Beardmore and our new Administration office building in Geraldton. The results of these reports indicate high levels of CO 2 due to poor air exchange in the building. I will be getting a quote from an engineering firm to conduct air and water balancing of the heating system as per recommendation from the True Grit Consulting reports. Facilities Issues The Family Resource Center in Geraldton received some water damage. Clients in the building plugged the sink in the upstairs bathroom and continuously ran the water, causing overflow onto the floor and damaging the first floor ceiling drywall. Repairs have been conducted. The Geraldton Administration building had a domestic water leak, causing minor flooding on the floor in the public reception office. The leak was isolated by the Landlord and will eventually be repaired in the future. 7

8 Significant Events The hot water boiler system at the Longlac Historical Center was damaged due to the Union Gas supply outage. Broken lines, bleeders and pump were repaired and replaced. A claim has been submitted to Union Gas. The water line feeding the Beardmore Community Centre is frozen and cannot be repaired. Three portable washrooms have been placed on site and we are supplying drinking water so that the facilities may be used to accommodate spring break and winter carnival activities. Water is also being supplied by the fire department to run the zamboni and cooling system for the compressors. Safety Statistics Month of February & March Reportable Incident = 0 First Aid = 0 Medical Aid = 0 Lost Time = 0 Staffing All performance reviews were conducted. 5. Manager of Airports Report Attachments Statistics February 2014 Nakina Air Service aircraft movements and freight are less for same period in 2013 due to increased movements by Cargo North s Basler 67 aircraft and winter road access to Martin Falls. 8

9 Fuel Price Survey March survey shows current Municipality of Greenstone Jet A-1 and AvGas 100LL prices are $0.13/litre below the average of the other airports polled. General Activity/Information The first Draft of the 2014 Airports Operating budget has been reviewed with the finance department. The Airports Manager attended the 2014 Grow Greenstone EXPO in Thunder Bay on March 17 & 18. Discussions were held in the Greenstone room with prospective businesses in regards to available property at the airports. As part of the ongoing remediation of the Jet A-1 fuel storage tank removal, an Indoor Air Quality Assessment was performed by DST Consulting Engineers in the Greenstone Regional Airport terminal and maintenance garage on March 12 and 13. The results of the assessment will help determine the next steps of the remediation. Safety Statistics Month of February First Aid = 0 Medical Aid = 0 Lost Time = 0 Forward Planning Airport Advisory Committee will be meeting on March 25 and the Economic Development Committee will be attending the meeting to discuss the R. Elmer Ruddick Nakina Airport Commercial/Industrial Development Strategy. 9

10 Airport Manager, Airport Maintenance Operators from Greenstone Regional Airport and a contract Operator from the R. Elmer Ruddick Nakina Airport are attending a Wildlife Control course and a TP312 5 th Edition Gap Analysis seminar in Timmins on April 10 & 11. Submitted by the Director of Public Services: Signature Date Reviewed by C.A.O.: Signature Date Reviewed by Mayor: Signature Date 10

11 GREENSTONE AIRPORTS STATISTICS GREENSTONE REGIONAL AIRPORT R. ELMER RUDDICK NAKINA AIRPORT FEB. FEB FEB. FEB TO DATE TO DATE TO DATE TO DATE Aircraft Movements Passenger Movements ,108 1,021 Freight (lbs.) , , ,305 1,171,326 Jet A-1 (Lt.) 6,719 3,752 13,621 8,733 10,210 92,929 20, ,939 AvGas 100LL (Lt.) ,719 2, ,109 1,737 Medevacs Call Outs AIRPORT USER SUMMARY M.N.R. M.N.R. M.N.R. M.N.R. NAKINA AIR NAKINA AIR NAKINA AIR NAKINA AIR Aircraft Movements Passenger Movements , Jet A-1 (Lt.) 1, , , ,765 AvGas 100LL (Lt.) Helicopter Movements May-Oct. n/a n/a n/a n/a WILDERNESS WILDERNESS WILDERNESS WILDERNESS M.O.H. M.O.H. M.O.H. M.O.H. NORTH AIR NORTH AIR NORTH AIR NORTH AIR Aircraft Movements Passenger Movements Jet A-1 (Lt.) 1,299 1,356 2,074 2,997 6,549 4,808 14,802 9,318 O.P.P. O.P.P. O.P.P. O.P.P. Aircraft Movements Passenger Movements WISK AIR WISK AIR WISK AIR WISK AIR Jet A-1 (Lt.) Nakina Air Service Nakina Air Nakina Air Nakina Air Nakina Air CARGO NORTH CARGO NORTH CARGO NORTH CARGO NORTH Aircraft Movements Passenger Movements Jet A-1 (Lt.) , ,419 Wasaya Airways LP Wasaya Wasaya Wasaya Wasaya MNR MNR MNR MNR Jet A-1 (Lt.) ,210 1,758 2,714 2,534 3,843 AvGas 100LL Aircraft Movements Passengers Wisk Air Wisk Air Wisk Air Wisk Air Wisk Air Jet A-1 (Lt.)

12 FUEL PRICE SURVEY March 19, 2014 (H.S.T. not included) AIRPORT CONTACT FUEL TYPE PRICE/LT. Pickle Lake JET A-1 FSII $ 1.65 Unbranded AVGAS 100LL $ 2.19 Fort Frances JET A-1 FSII $ 1.56 Unbranded Shell Canada AVGAS 100LL $ 1.89 Kenora JET A-1 FSII $ 1.65 Branded Shell Canada AVGAS 100LL $ 1.97 Red Lake JET A-1 FSII $ 1.77 Branded Imperial Oil AVGAS 100LL $ 2.19 Dryden JET A-1 FSII $ 1.59 Branded Imperial Oil AVGAS 100LL $ 2.01 Sioux Lookout JET A-1 FSII $ 1.56 Branded Imperial Oil Ext AVGAS 100LL $ 1.95 Thunder Bay JET A-1 FSII $ 1.63 Branded Imperial Oil AVGAS 100LL n/a Thunder Bay JET A-1 FSII $ 1.68 Branded Shell Canada AVGAS 100LL $ 1.92 Hearst JET A-1 FSII $ 1.78 Unbranded Imperial Oil AVGAS 100LL $ 1.97 Kapuskasing JET A-1 FSII $ 1.64 Branded Imperial Oil AVGAS 100LL $ 1.86 Timmins JET A-1 FSII $ 1.83 Branded Imperial Oil Ext 3157 AVGAS 100LL $ 2.02 Hornepayne JET A-1 FSII $ 1.41 Unbranded AVGAS 100LL n/a Chapleau JET A-1 FSII $ 1.66 Unbranded AVGAS 100LL $ 1.93 Cochrane JET A-1 FSII $ 1.52 Unbranded AVGAS 100LL $ 1.93 Jet A-1 FSII Average Price $1.64 AvGas 100LL Average Price $1.99 GREENSTONE AIRPORTS Jet A-1 FSII Current Price $1.51 AvGas 100LL Current Price $1.86